By JUDITH TINDOG
WELCOME TO VIETNAM! Picture shows from (l to r) Cabanatuan City Administrative Officer III, William V. Balbin, Nguyen Huu Tam of Vietnam, Judith T. Tindog, Information Officer II, Aklan, Grizelda A. Arcenio, Information Officer II, Bacolod, Sarah P. Galindo Sr. Grains Operation officer (Quality Assurance), Siquijor and Dr. Rafael V. Marasigan at Iio ChiMinh City Airport.
LOADPORT TEAM AT SAIGON PORT: SGOO (Quality Assurance Officer) Sarah Galindo (front) getting rice sample while the rest of the team take note of other loading observations and Information
I thought I could never get the chance to visit Vietnam. At age 55 and working in the National food Authority (NFA) provincial office, this dream came true. But blessings are open for all. Ask and you shall receive. This is a promise to all His believers. Everything is in His will and supported by proper authorities. The patience of waiting paid off in not so long time.
On my part, to go out of the country for a mission and tour officially meant a giant leap of joy, inspiration, personal gratefulness. I consider it as another highlight of my 32 years service with the NFA. Everything turned out favorably in the right time from July 22 to 28, 2007 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
We were loadport representatives in connection with the 2007 NFA rice importation for food security and buffer stock purposes. Dr. Rafael V. Marasigan from Extension Department, Central Office, Manila headed the team with Sarah P. Galindo, Sr. Grains Operation Officer (Standard Quality Assurance officer) from Siquijor Office; Grizelda A. Arceño, Information Officer II from Bacolod City; Juddith T. Tindog, Information Officer II from Aklan; and William V. Balbin, Administrative Officer III from Cabanatuan City as members. Our mission visited the loading sites and production areas, warehouses inspection and observation in the conduct of analysis at the surveyors laboratories.
The team attended the one-day pre-departure briefing by the Technology Resource Development Department, the Technical Services Department and Marketing Operations Department for familiarization, awareness and guidance.
We arrived safely in Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon of July 22. Thanks to all the prayers from well-wishers especially to the NFA family. It was a two hour flight. The Philippine time is exactly one hour ahead of Vietnam. Engr. Ta Minh Man and Mr. Nguyen Huu Tam welcomed us warmly. The weather was sunny, as we set our first step on the Vietnam ground. We noticed the big signage nearby: CHAO MUNG QUI KHACH DEN VIET NAM meaning: WELCOME TO VIETNAM. "Thanks be to God. We’re here in Vietnam!". After a short exchange of pleasantries, the two official guides took us to Minh Tam Hotel where we enjoyed staying the whole week.
Our task started with a dialogue and briefing with Ngo Van Duy, the Marketing and Trading Specialist of Vietnam Southern Food Corporation. We discussed our travel itineraries for the week and the status of loading operations.
We paid courtesy call to the Philippines Consulate officials at the Consulate Office, Ho Chi Minh City. Ms. Dao Thi Thu Huong, translator/interpreter in behalf of Consul General Gerry Paglinawan welcomed us over a cup of tea.
In Saigon Port, we witnessed the loading operation of M/V Song Ngan. The group sailed on a motorboat going to the barge, an exciting experience. Mr. Doan Trong Thai of the Overseas Merchandise Inspection Company. Ltd. (OMIC) assisted the group in rice sampling in the barge. Observations at FCC Control and Fumigation Laboratory were made with the assistance of Mr. Adama Soleh AP, manager of FCC and Mr. Kenji Tanaka, chief representative of OMIC.
A day trip at Long An Province was conducted. It is 75 kms. south of Ho Chi Minh City. The team with Engr. Man went for a warehouse and ricemill inspection at Long An Food company Warehouse. We saw the actual milling, packing and loading of rice stocks from the warehouse to the barge intended for Malaysia.
Our trip to Cu Chi, 70 kms., northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to visit and see the Historic Relic and the Cu Chi Tunnel Complex was a day of painful war recollection. Cu Chi Tunnel was the strong base of the Military Zone Party Committee, Saigon-Gia Dinh Command Port, Cu Chi District Party Committee and all People of Cu Chi District.
Visitors gathered in a room for a lecture about the long, arduous struggle of Vietnam. The lecture aimed to explain the profound and true aspirations for peace, independence, and living forever in prosperity and happiness. The lecture over, the assigned guide to the area led us to the different historical sites. We went under the level one tunnel on duck-walk but never tried levels two and three. These tunnels were the hide-outs of the Vietnamese fighters during the war.
We took pictures of the rice fields and rubber plantations. What we noticed and seemed ordinary sight in the rice fields are tombs right in the area. Mr. Tam informed us that rice fields in Vietnam are being used as resting places of the deceased farm owners.
Aside from the historic Cu Chi, the team also visited the Remnants of War Museum and Re-Unification Palace in the Ho Chi Minh City. Both are memorable places preserved for the freedom loving people of Vietnam. We visited the Notre Dame Cathedral built in 1880. The grand structure speaks of its centuries old construction. Our official guides were Buddhist but kind enough to usher us to the Cathedral knowing our eagerness to visit the place of worship. Catholic Vietnamese have two names; a Vietnamese name and a Christian name. Example is Ngo Van Duy whose Christian name is Vincent. Another is Nguyen Minh Tung was baptized Joseph.
Other places of interest we visited were the Vietnam Botanical garden, the Zoo, the Buddhist Temple, the Art Collection and Museum, the Damsen Park. Birds and other wildlife move freely in the man-made forest. Big and tall old trees are abundantly growing. The orchids are in bloom, bonsai of different plant varieties are everywhere, the dragon and other animals made of ceramics are great work of arts, the total landscaping in the park is breathtaking to see. The pretty lotus flowers that float so freely in the park, in the open field or in the business center is unforgettable. The elephant ride is an experience to cherish.
Our last day of our trip was a celebration to remember. Mr. Do Can, Vice-Director of LAVICO, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tung and Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy of ISC tendered a dinner reception held in a place near Minh Tam Hotel. It was a cozy restaurant with live music, with mostly female singers who rendered Vietnamese songs. Although we did not understand the lyrics, we enjoyed the entertainment and music. A male singer sang in English, with songs familiar to us, so inducing to participate with the singing. We got a surprise, a red rose in a vase delivered to our table. The dinner was served with rice as our hosts understand that Filipinos are rice eating race.
Our trip was aimed to observe rice consumption in Vietnam. Well, Vietnamese culture reveals they eat rice noodles during breakfast and dinner. Steamed rice is served at lunch in moderate quantity. This culture in food intake contributes much to the high marketable surplus rice of Vietnam. Perhaps, Filipinos may find ways to reduce rice intakes. This is not a big deal as there are noodles and other rice substitutes. Besides, the habit of not having rice for breakfast promotes body slenderness and fast moving. They use mechanical conveyors from the rice mill to the barge in milling operation.
Our host representatives, Engr. Man of OMIC and Mr. Tam of ISC were highly professionals in all their dealings with us.
People we met in Vietnam were friendly and approachable. During our breakfast in Minh Tam Hotel, we converse with Ms. Bui Thi Canh from Hanoi. She works in the Ministry of Agriculture. Talking with her as she speaks English well was enjoyable.
People in the Ben Thanh market and other business establishments appeared fair in their business deals. They know how to adjust with their customers and get along nicely. We also talked about our beautiful Philippines. They are interested to see the Philippines.
How would I remember Vietnam or Ho Chi Minh City in particular?
Of all the countries and people in Southeast Asia, none has suffered and endured deeper wounds than Vietnam which has a turbulent history of leadership and government. It was only in 1976 that South and North were reunited as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with Hanoi, her capital. Hanoi stands on the Red River in northern Vietnam. Saigon is the largest city of South Vietnam which stands on Saigon River, about 80 kms. from the South China Sea.
The war over, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in honor of the man who had been North Vietnam’s leader. Ho Chi Minh City occupies 2,090 square kilometers with a population of over seven millions. It has soared from the pains and destruction of wars to a booming country in Southeast Asia. It is fast developing as the center of agriculture and commerce as well as tourism, and education.
Vietnamese history, her culture, churches, temples, vast rice fields, scenic view, gunless police, thousands of motorbikes and bicycles on the road, growing business, busy market, rural and urban zones in abundance, giant rivers of Mekong and Saigon, French villas, tall trees in the wide avenues, ‘halo-halo’ of fresh fruits like Dragon Fruit, strawberry, the warm people, the fun with other loadport representatives who tagged me as "Ginang Milyonarya" which was unusual title expired for a week, the generosity of our sponsor and most of all, the Saigon Port fully occupied by ships loading rice for exports to other countries are living memories all anchored in my heart that will constantly remind me of Vietnam.
The fulfillment of my travel to Vietnam is due to NFA Provincial, Regional and Central Office managements, the Office of the DA Secretary, the need of the Filipinos to eat rice contributed to my travel abroad as one of the loadport representatives. This opportunity has widened my exposure to NFA operations as well as my cultural and historical knowledge about Vietnam. It is a lifetime experience I will always treasure. /MP
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